Why Our Future Artists and Scientists Need Your Support Now More Than Ever

The Challenge: Screens vs. Real-World Creating

Every day, we see young people struggling with the effects of heavy social media exposure and screen addiction. It takes a toll on their ability to focus as they passively consume content online, which directly impacts their creativity and critical thinking. But when kids are at the Junior Center, they have the unique opportunity to use their minds and hands to make things in real life. They learn science and the arts by doing—in ways that standard school environments or purely digital programs simply cannot duplicate.

Keeping Art and Science Accessible to All

Each year, more than 6,000 students from across the East Bay join us to create art and explore science along Lake Merritt. Inclusion is at the heart of our mission: 71% of our students receive financial assistance from the Junior Center. No matter a family’s budget, every single child is welcomed into our community.

We all know how much the cost of living has escalated recently. As local families stretch their budgets just to cover basic needs, extra money for museum visits or enrichment activities is often the first thing to go. At the same time, schools and local arts organizations continue to be hit hard by steep funding cuts.

Despite these challenges, the Junior Center is keeping its steadfast commitment to offer our community programs at low or no cost. Now more than ever, we need your help to ensure that East Bay families navigating these rising costs can still afford to send their kids to JCAS for field trips, after-school classes, and summer camp.

The Junior Center is a sanctuary where kids can truly find themselves as scientists and artists right here in the heart of Oakland. We delight in seeing students and families return to us year after year because they feel safe, inspired, and valued here. Your generosity is what makes this entire ecosystem possible.

Will you make a gift today to provide critical financial assistance for a future artist or scientist?

See Your Impact in Action

To see exactly how your support changes lives and fuels imagination, we invite you to watch a short video highlighting the daily magic that happens at the Center. Hear directly from our educators, volunteers, and the incredible young makers who rely on our financial assistance program to discover their passions along Lake Merritt.